A ST. HELENA LULLABY

How far is St. Helena from a little child at play? What makes you want to wander there with all

the world between?

Oh, Mother, call your son again or else he'll run

away.

(No one thinks of winter when the grass is green!)

How far is St. Helena from a fight in Paris street? I haven't time to answer now-the men are

falling fast.

The guns begin to thunder, and the drums begin to beat.

(If you take the first step you will take the last!)

How far is St. Helena from the field of Austerlitz? You couldn't hear me if I told-so loud the

cannons roar.

But not so far for people who are living by their

wits.

("Gay go up" means "gay go down" the wide

world o'er!)

How far is St. Helena from an Emperor of France? I cannot see-I cannot tell-the crowns they

dazzle so.

The Kings sit down to dinner, and the Queens stand up to dance.

(After open weather you may look for snow!)

How far is St. Helena from the Capes of Trafalgar? A longish way-a longish way-with ten year

more to run.

It's South across the water underneath a setting

star.

(What you cannot finish you must leave undone!)

How far is St. Helena from the Beresina ice?

An ill way-a chill way-the ice begins to crack. But not so far for gentlemen who never took advice. (When you can't go forward you must e'en come back!)

How far is St. Helena from the field of Waterloo? A near way-a clear way-the ship will take

you soon.

A pleasant place for gentlemen with little left

to do.

(Morning never tries you till the afternoon!)

206

How far from St. Helena to the Gate of Heaven's

Grace?

That no one knows-that no one knows-and

no one ever will.

But fold your hands across your heart and cover

up your face,

And after all your trapesings, child lie still!

207

"A PRIEST IN SPITE OF

THE

HIMSELF"

HE day after they came home from the seaside they set out on a tour of inspection to make sure everything was as they had left it. Soon they discovered that old Hobden had blocked their best hedge-gaps with stakes and thorn-bundles, and had trimmed up the hedges where the blackberries were setting.

"It can't be time for the gipsies to come along," said Una. "Why, it was summer only the other day!"

"There's smoke in Low Shaw!" said Dan, sniffing. "Let's make sure!"

They crossed the fields toward the thin line of blue smoke that leaned above the hollow of Low Shaw which lies beside the King's Hill road. It used to be an old quarry till somebody planted it, and you can look straight down into it from the edge of Banky Meadow.

"I thought so," Dan whispered, as they came up